Corner protectors for framed artwork

ABSTRACT

A unit manufactured for the purpose of protecting the corners of framed artwork during transport and storage. This unit is comprised of four, padded, three-dimensional, fabric corners, which are attached to each other with elastic. The padded corners slip onto the corners of frames and remain in place, due to the stretched elastic, while the art piece is being moved or stored. The padding of the corners is comprised of poly-fill batting much like that used in bed comforters. The material used on the interior of the corners is a soft, fleece, which will not mar or damage the frame in any way. This unit provides simple, lightweight, durable and convenient protection for framed artwork and aids in maintaining the value of the frames.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/358,575, filed Feb. 21, 2002. The invention referredto under the provisional application mentioned above was at that timeknown as ArtGuard. However, the trademark of ARTGARTERS is nowassociated with this item and the inventor has applied to register thistrademark with the U.S. Patent and Trade Office, application filed Feb.16, 2003 under U.S. Ser. No. 78215452. These two names refer to one inthe same; this information is provided for clarification for the benefitof the reviewer hereof

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS REFERENCES CITED U.S. PatentDocuments

[0002] 3955677 May, 1976 Collingwood 206/453 4134496 January 1979 Smith206/453 4385698 April 1982 Goguen 206/586 4598825 July 1986 Wiley et al.206/453 4496054 January 1985 Koltun 206/586

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0003] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

[0004] Not Applicable

[0005] 1. Background of the Invention

[0006] The present invention relates to devices that are configured tobe attached to the corners of framed art which offer protection againstdamage to the frames. Traditional devices of this nature are usuallysingle units attached to each corner of the frame, are most oftenremovable objects, and are made of products that can cause wear and tearto frames when they are removed and replaced again and again. Theseknown products are sometimes stapled or nailed to the back of frames toavoid attaching and replacing, but the act of the permanent attachment,in itself, damages the artwork. Additionally, over time, these productswill degrade to a point that replacement is required. The presentinvention more particularly addresses the issues of damage prevention,convenience of use and durability.

[0007] 2. Description of the Prior Arts

[0008] It is recognized in the field of visual arts that corners offramed artwork are very susceptible to damage when art pieces aretransported and/or stored. When damage occurs, art loses value and attimes must be reframed at a financial loss to the artist. Damage of thisnature most often occurs when transporting or storing artwork. In thepast, various types of materials, such as cardboard (U.S. Pat. Nos.3,955,77 and 4,598,825), paperboard (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,385,698 and4,134,496), and/or polystyrene foam (U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,054), have beenused to offer the needed protection to frame corners. Although thesematerials seem incapable of damaging the frames, over time the framescan and do become worn or scratched from continuous contact with theseproducts. Additionally, traditional corner protectors are offered as anindividual product (U.S. Pat. No 3,955,677); each corner protector is aseparate unit so the act of protecting corners is an action that repeatsitself four separate times per frame. A device made of softer materialthat can be utilized as a single unit would greatly improve theprotection quality and offer a substantial savings in time required toapply traditional protectors

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is the object of the present invention to provide betterprotection to framed art objects and to do so in a fashion that is moreefficient to traditional applications. As traditional materials such ascardboard and styrofoam are degradable materials, another object of thepresent invention is to provide a longer lasting product, reusable againand again, that in itself is made of a compressible material so thatstoring these items is an act that can be made without worrying aboutbreakage, bending or damage to the product.

[0010] This invention is described as: four separate, padded, fabric,triangular, 2-sided corners connected to each other with one-quarterinch elastic to create a single connected item. The item by function andlook resembles a traditional garter, therefore the trademark ofARTGARTER has been utilized. This item then covers the corners ofrectangular, framed artwork in such a way as to protect the framecorners from becoming damaged. Each fabric corner cups or envelopes eachcorner of a frame, and is stabilized by the elastic running along theframe to the next corner. Once attached to all four corners of theframe, the tension from the elastic keeps the invention stationaryduring transport. No further attachment is required such as stapling ortaping.

[0011] The invention is constructed by layering three types of fabrictogether in a stacking fashion. The first layer is a 4-ounce polyesterfiber-fill batting material. Next, a stronger canvas type material islaid with the right side facing up, and the third layer, a soft fleece,is placed face down against the canvas material. The three layersdescribed above are stacked and simultaneously cut into a prescribedtriangular shape.

[0012] Construction begins by machine sewing the three triangular layerstogether on the 90 degree corner side with a seam of approximately ⅜inch. The fabric layers of the triangle are then turned inside out sothat the right sides of the fabric are turned outward. The triangle isthen folded in half with the outside, top fabric folded together. A seamis sewn along the raw edges of the triangle. The triangle is then turnedright-side out to create an open, three dimensional pocket or cup, whichslips over the corner of a frame. Prescribed lengths of elastic are cutand attached to the tips of the triangles so as to attach eachprotective corner to the next corner until four corners are completed toform one unit. This invention has proven to be a reliable, useful,durable, and functional product that is easy to use.

[0013] The fleece is the portion of the invention which comes in contactwith the frame. The fleece is the type used for constructing nightwearand is made of a very soft, fluffy pile. Unlike other materials used inthe manufacture of frame protectors, this item does not need to bestapled, or attached in a harsh way, to protect the frame. It isconstructed of soft fabric, which absolutely will not mar, rub or damagethe frame in any way when it is applied and removed. The ease andgentleness of applying this product is such that the framed artwork canbe left in a hanging position on a wall or exhibit booth and the itemcan be attached and detached effortlessly.

[0014] Once completed, the invention is able to be used on a variety offrame sizes. As an example, the smallest size available fits frames11×14 thru 16×20.

DESCRIPTION OF VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

[0015] A fuller understanding of the nature and object of the presentinvention will become more apparent upon consideration of the followingdetailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a front view as the invention looks prior to attachmentto artwork.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a front view as the invention looks when attached toartwork.

[0018]FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the frame and constructed materialsof each fabric corner as it sits when attached to the frames.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a view from the side when attached to a framed object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Referring to the drawings, in FIG. 1 the four triangular corners12 represent the padded pockets, which will provide protection to theframe corners. The lines 14 between the corners represent one-quarterinch elastic that is attached to the tips or ends of each corner.

[0021] The next FIG. 2 shows the invention as it appears when attachedto a frame 16. The four padded corners 12 attach snuggly to the cornersof the frame. The elastic 14 is now represented in a stretched fashionas it stabilizes the padded corners to the frame.

[0022] A cross-section of the invention as it appears on the frame 16when attached is represented in FIG. 3. The padded material 20 is seenon both the front and back of the frame thus providing protection onboth sides. The fleece liner 18 is the fabric that comes in contact withthe frame itself The outer material 22 is located on the outside of theinvention and it consists of a more durable fabric since it's contactwith other items will be more harsh and durability is a required featureof this fabric.

[0023] In FIG. 4, a view is provided from the outer edge of the frame16. This view simply shows the elastic 14 in the stretched fashion as itappears when the invention is applied to artwork; when in place, theelastic is positioned along the entire outer edge of the frame.

What is claimed:
 1. A frame protector device comprising of: (a) four,three-dimensional corner covers for framed artwork; (b) the corners ofwhich are padded with layers of materials, the center one being apolyester fiber batting; (b) four padded corners connected together byone-quarter inch elastic attached to the tip of each corner to form onefunctional device; and (b) material of the interior of thethree-dimensional corner is comprised of a soft fleece material whichwill not in any way mar or damage the framed artwork.
 2. A frameprotector device as described in claim 1 that can be attached to framedartwork without the need for any other device to stabilize the unit. 3.A fabric frame protector device as described in claim 2 that iswashable, crushable, durable, lightweight, and easy to attach and detachfrom framed artwork to promote the safety of transporting or storingsuch framed artwork.